10 Topa(The Tenth Day of the Blessed Month of Tubah)

Paramouni of Holy Theophany (Epiphany)

On this day it has been the tradition of the Orthodox
Church, following the teachings of the holy fathers of the church, to fast until
dusk, eating only what is permitted to be eaten during the holy forty days
(Lent). If Christmas day or Epiphany falls on Wednesday or Friday, the saintly
apostles ordained that the believers eat all the food that one is permitted to
eat during the Pentecostal days (the post-resurrection fifty days). They are
feasts to the Lord. The Paramouni days are fasted to compensate for the feast
days, so that we may have the blessings of both the fast and the feast. In the
custom of our Coptic Orthodox church, if the Paramouni day falls on Saturday or
Sunday, it is the tradition to fast on the Friday that precedes them also. Then
they pray on water before midnight and they wash and bless everyone who wants to
be blessed. The reason to complete this before midnight is because of the fear
that the little children may break their fasting by drinking water.

We ask Christ to purify us, cleanse us from all our
abominations, forgive our sins, and make us worthy to receive the revelation of
the glory of His divine nature in our hearts and in our deeds, as He revealed
His glory in the Jordan River.

To Him be the Glory with His Good Father and His Holy
Spirit, now and forever, and to the end of ages. Amen.